News

Renee Castro, LSU AgCenter area ag agent, examines shredded and browned tops of sugarcane that was impacted by Hurricane Ida’s strong winds in St. John the Baptist Parish, Sept. 8, 2021. Many cane stalks in this field, such as those to the left of Castro, were bent due to the wind impact. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Renee Castro, LSU AgCenter area ag agent, examines shredded and browned tops of sugarcane that was impacted by Hurricane Ida’s strong winds in St. John the Baptist Parish, Sept. 8, 2021. Many cane stalks in this field, such as those to the left of Castro, were bent due to the wind impact. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Louisiana agriculture suffers at least $584M in damage from Hurricane Ida

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
The Louisiana agriculture industry has suffered at least $584 million in damage after Hurricane Ida walloped the southeastern portion of the state last month with strong winds and flooding, according to a new report from LSU AgCenter experts.

Why I think feminism is a farce

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Whenever I write about abortion, I get a lot of pushback from people who disagree. I fully admit that I’m an extremist when it comes to whether a child has a right to be born. There is no wiggle room for me, no negotiation, no gray areas.

Is it autumn for America?

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
The autumn leaves are expected to be extra vibrant this year in Pennsylvania, though they are changing colors a week later than is normal. That’s fitting. Very few things are “normal” this year.
Julie Marie Hayes

Julie Marie Hayes

Sheriff: Woman’s dopey gift lands her in trouble

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
A 40-year-old woman is wanted by the Acadia Parish Sheriff on possession of heroin and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Julie Marie Hayes is accused of gifting a 13-year-old juvenile a present containing Heroin and drug paraphernalia during a birthday celebration.

Eunice Police investigate shootings

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
A Eunice Police officer was flagged down at 12:24 a.m. Sept. 25 on Mayers Street and informed that a subject had been shot, according to Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot. “According to the complainant the victim of the shooting was being transported to the hospital by his mother.
Denise Rose

Denise Rose

St. Landry Parish School Board member dies

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
The St. Landry Parish School District announced that District 5 School Board member Denise Rose died Sept. 26. A cause of death was not released. Rose began her employment as a teacher at Melville Elementary in October 1999.
A view of the damage caused by Hurricane Ida to Grand Isle five days after it hit, Grand Isle, Louisiana, on Sept 3. Every home reported damage, with around 40-50% of those homes being completely destroyed. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh)

A view of the damage caused by Hurricane Ida to Grand Isle five days after it hit, Grand Isle, Louisiana, on Sept 3. Every home reported damage, with around 40-50% of those homes being completely destroyed. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh)

Grand Isle levee under repair post Ida

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
The Louisiana National Guard’s 225th Engineer Brigade is working non-stop to fill a breached levee in Grand Isle. Grand Isle is Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island, with a little more than 1,000 occupants. The people there are no strangers to the damaging effects of hurricanes.
U.S. 190 was a splashy ride on Tuesday and Wednesday as the area received showers. At least 3 inches of rain fell Tuesday. The rainy weather is forecast to continue today. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

U.S. 190 was a splashy ride on Tuesday and Wednesday as the area received showers. At least 3 inches of rain fell Tuesday. The rainy weather is forecast to continue today. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Rainy week in Eunice

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
U.S. 190 was a splashy ride on Tuesday and Wednesday as the area received showers.

COVID situation improves, but problems persist at schools

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
COVID-19 positivity rates are down, but St. Landry Parish public schools still face issues such as hiring nurses and others to deal with the situation. Head school nurse Sylvia Brown said the COVID positivity rate dropped to 4.4% as of Sept. 16. The positivity rate for the Sept.
Willie Guillory, president of the St. Landry Federation of Teachers and School Employees, makes her case for para-professionals who are taking on the duties of teachers to get a pay raise. In the background at Tuesday’s meeting in Opelousas, from left, are Board member Mary Ellen Donatto and Superintendent Patrick Jenkins. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Willie Guillory, president of the St. Landry Federation of Teachers and School Employees, makes her case for para-professionals who are taking on the duties of teachers to get a pay raise. In the background at Tuesday’s meeting in Opelousas, from left, are Board member Mary Ellen Donatto and Superintendent Patrick Jenkins. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

St. Landry Parish public schools asked to raise para-professional pay

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Para-professionals are increasingly asked to perform teacher duties and their pay should reflect that, said Willie Guillory, president of the St. Landry Federation of Teachers and School Employees.